A Seattle-area man told a judge that he fell asleep and allowed the baby he was holding to tumble into a fire burning in his backyard.

Alberto Rios, 41, of Federal Way, Wash., made the statement while pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the June death of his infant son, Diego.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Wednesday said Rios faces up to two years in prison and deportation to Mexico when he is sentenced on Oct. 2.

Rios' lawyer said after Tuesday's hearing in Kent that his client always intended to take responsibility for the tragedy. However, prosecutors said Rios would likely not win at trial since he had been drinking heavily when Diego was killed.

Rios had been partying with co-workers from his construction company and found his son's charred remains hours after he passed out next to the fire pit.

Bookmark this news